Hohner M/K Plates A Major

Advantages: Quality instruments
Disadvantages: Need to buy one for each key

...I’m guessing this product title refers in general to the range of Hohner diatonic harmonicas and I’ll review in that way. Harmonica was the first instrument I learnt, not being able to afford a guitar at the time. The first decent harmonica I ever bought was a Hohner Marine Band (key of G), and since then, these are the only brand I’ve considered using. Hohner is probably the most famous of the harmonica brands, used on albums such as The Jayhawks’ Hollywood Town Hall (a classic!). There are a range of diatonic harmonicas available, and each in different keys (the notes are arranged in the scale of the key. Keys available include Major, Minor and Natural, plus some other specialist tunings). Some models even come in different sizes (e.g. 10 hole, 12 hole)! Different models are made of different materials: generally, the top... Read review

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Advantages: Cheap and Brilliant Investment
Disadvantages: Just a 1-piece

...! With this descant recorder, a novice player should be able to play from middle C to D or E in the next octave. Advanced players can get up to two and a half octaves (although heaven knows why they’d want to). To give you an idea of how easy it is, to play a tune like the start of “Three Blind Mice”, you need only index, middle and ring fingers of your left hand. My model is “Baroque”, which means that the bottom two holes are actually split into two smaller holes; this enables you to play semi-tones (like the black notes on a piano) more in tune than the alternative system, which is known as “German”. Hohner sells all its recorders in both systems. As far as I’m aware, all UK schools and nearly all recorder tutors use the Baroque fingerings, so I’d stick to that one if I were you, unless you are German of course. Some of the most common problems... Read review

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Advantages: Well made, low priced
Disadvantages: None apart from age.

...I'm often asked where a good cheap set of drums can be acquired, usually with the same response, Dunno! Just kidding. What I normally tell people is to look out for a Hohner lite set, as in general they are pretty good and quite easy to pick up cheaply as they are now relatively old, but the age is of no consequence. Unlike most cheap kits the Lite LE ain't half bad, I've actually go a set myself. The standard set consists of 5 drums. Bass - Floor Tom - Twin Toms - Snare. Any cymbals or other add-ons are just that, Separate add-ons. But that don't kill the kit as most second hand sets come with hi-hats and a splash or two, often with no extra cost so the kit becomes an even better bargain. As said it's a basic 5 piece, and these are of a good solid design that look the part with a laminated coating and nice bright chrome... Read review

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